Christmas as a foreign language teacher in China

The good thing about keeping a travel journal is that you can look back at days years ago and laugh about the things that happened.  As its fast approaching Christmas time I dug out those journals to remember 2 Christmases spent as a foreign language teacher in China.  Opening up 'the most comfortable notebook I have ever run into' I was sure first of all, the company would have appreciated the fullness of it, as the front cover also promised I would feel like writing with it all the time.  Anyone who's ever spent time in Asia may appreciate such things.

 

As real foreigners in a reasonably sized Chinese town we would be expected to take part in the schools Christmas show.  It was a great opportunity for the school to once again show its foreigners off to prospective wealthy parents.  By now I was used to this, the others weren't.  Daniel from America was particularly upset when no one seemed to appreciate his opera singing. Marlene from Australia enjoyed her moment dueting with the Head teacher until a particularly strong gust of wind blew the perfectly laid carpet right over the top of them.  Myself I showed willing by wearing traditional Chinese dress and badly singing a song that no one had ever heard of.  Am not sure how many prospective parents our efforts brought in but to be fair we weren't required to list any musical or acting skills on the teaching application form.

The audience gathers

I comforted myself in the thought that at least progress had been made from the year before.  During that Christmas the schools energetic music teacher Mr Hu, (a surprisingly large and round man for China) had decided that I would play the violin in the Christmas concert, no consideration was given to the fact I couldn't actually play, he was convinced that all would be alright on the night.  He looked confident, I had no clue.  I felt better knowing that my colleague had to play the Chinese 'Erhu' a 4 stringed instrument, she had no idea either. 

 

When the temperature hit minus 1 degrees Celsius we felt sure the concert would be off, but no, outside we trooped, tiny plastic stalls were brought out and an audience of 1500 people grew.  Tensions rose, people were expecting greatness.  They didn't get it.  Just when we started to play with music propped up in front of us on chairs there was a high gust of snow filled wind and in some kind of comic timing sheets of music went everywhere.  Laughter broke out, students ran after the music and when the rest of the small group of musicians finished a stunned silence filled to air which was awkwardly only broken when some of my lovely primary students started clapping.  

 

Thinking about it, all might have gone better if we had not already had the school staff Christmas party.  This was an interesting event held in the schools canteen.  A place where we often did our best to avoid eating as substances could not always be identified.  This night was different, the kitchen staff has pushed the boat out and dish after dish was brought to round tables and eager staff.  Chop sticks swooped in and feasting began.  Hugh piles of rice, vegetables, steamed fish and saucy meats filled the air with tempting smells and the moreish taste of MSG.  There were chicken feet, there always were, but a veteran of these occasions I had learned to quickly spin the table to the left as these approached.  The highlight of these events was always the baijiu.  For those not in the know this is an extremely strong white alcohol spirit that burns the back of your throat as it goes down.  Its polite to regularly toast the health and well being of colleagues who will pour you a small shot glass that you must down to maintain politeness and show respect.  I had learnt the hard way not to just sit there and take it, as it often proved amusing for the male teachers to see a female drinking.  I went on my own pouring mission.  When the singing started it was a sure sign that we had all had enough!

 

Suitably stuffed, but without the usual Turkey and trimming, there was just one thing left to do.  Yep sixteen classes were waiting for us to attend their individual Christmas parties complete with huge bags of sweets and strange renditions of Santa Claus is coming to town.  It was to be a long evening!

  

 

Essential items for a 1st time travellers bag

With the festive season approaching it's a great time to put some truly useful stuff on your Christmas list, or buy some of these cheap but essential items for any budding travellers in your life.  When thinking of this list I purposely left out all those things that need charging.  I and thousands of others totally managed on trips before mobile phones, I-pods and digital cameras and would go as far to suggest that life will not be over if you left these things at home.  Instead I focused on the small and simple stuff that just makes travelling easier.  I am sure others have their own list but these are the things that always make it out of the travel drawer (yes I have one) and into my bag.  The travel drawer is a miracle of both depth and excitement.  Depth because it seems no matter how many gadgets, memorabilia and ticket stubs you throw in there, there always seems to be room for more.  And excitement because pick anything out of it and you can immediately transported back to a memory, good, bad, funny it doesn't matter, its often a world away. So what are the top 9 items to make it? (no need to round up to ten for affect, backpacking is about essentials)

1) Number one is a padlock and key on string (to wear round your neck or wrist).  This is great to lock all those valuables away in hostel dorm rooms.  Conveniently lockers are often provided per bed, or a slide out draw under the bunks does the same job.  These lockers never come with an actual lock (imagine the number of lost keys) so this is where your personal padlock comes into play.  If lockers are not provided you could always lock your bag instead.  (Note I suggest a key rather than code lock, unless you want to provide entertainment for other travellers watching you  trying to remember how to open the lock after a heavy night)

2) Number two - a small change purse.  This is not just an idea for girls.  If away on a long trip taking in several countries people will soon get annoyed with you if you try to pay with Cordoba rather than Lempira, and contrary to popular belief Dollars aren't welcome everywhere.  So save both embarrassment and pocket searching by putting the currency you actually need in your funky new change purse and put the rest in your bag.

Small packing  = plenty of space for souvenirs

3) Number three - a plastic draw string bag.  Yes this may seem like a strange one, but this comes into its own in hostel bathrooms.  You may have to walk down the corridor for a shower and from many a hostel experience, I have discovered a hook on the back of the door is often all the storage for clothes and towel you get.  Put it all in your handy bag and voila, dry stuff and not a disaster if it falls on the floor whilst you're in the middle of your ablutions.

4) Number four - a travel washing line.  If heading away for a while be sure to stop for a few nights in the same place.  Sending out for laundry is always possible, but for those of us on a tighter budget you can't beat the sink.  However if you're sharing a bathroom your fellow room mates are not going to appreciate the sight of your smalls.  Instead whip out the travel washing line and hang the stuff outside.  Give it a few hours and you'll be ready to move on again smelling much more like someone people will want to sit by.

Staying in comfort - Cambodia

5) Number five - a small torch.  No need for a one with the power of a thousand candles or the size of a truncheon, this is not for protection, but instead so you don't piss off your room mates.  Always handy to be able to see what you are doing especially if arriving late in the evening or leaving to get that bus before first light in the morning.  Also handy when walking back along unpaved roads at night if you value your ability to walk in the morning.

6) Number six - a real watch.  Let's be honest we now almost all rely on our phone alarm to wake us up.  But just in case you run out of battery at an inconvenient time a watch with an in built alarm is a good call.  Think old fashioned digital with real numbers.  As well as being retro cool you'll also not miss that once a week bus out of town.  (tip - maybe remember to turn the on the hour beep off, if you don't want to keep waking up roomies.  Sorry to those in Vienna hostel it was me)

Travelling in Style! - but didn't miss the bus

7) Number seven - a plastic wallet.  You know the one, those slippery wallets that fit in A4 pieces of paper.  This comes in handy for those travelling for a while and often overland.  It's easy to 'lose' things in your rucksack and not being able to find copies of your passport or onward ticket can result in, if you're lucky - the need to buy a very expensive ticket out for proof you will actually leave sometime.  If you're unlucky you could be held up at the border for long enough to prove a point, this is never less than 6 hours!  Instead bring out your plastic wallet of importance and you're the one that's laughing.

Boring border fun

8) Number eight - a travel towel.  These are remarkable things, they roll up super small and come in several sizes.  As well as being light weight, they are quick to dry so you don't get all your clothes damp.  They don't smell for a long time and best of all will always fit in your bag, unlike the towels that many travellers insist on hanging off the outside of their backpack both to dry and seemingly to collect dirt as their bags are thrown on and off buses and trucks.

Russian Stations

9) Number nine - a travel journal and pen.  The final item on the list is arguably the most important, maybe you won't think so at the time, when you have to carry it or at the end of a long few days make yourself write in it.  But believe me several years later you will be glad you took the time to note down the memories, how much things cost, what you ate, who you met, what you saw and any random moments that stick in your mind.  Bring out these journals and be transported back to the time you were pulled off the train at the Russian border, the time when you were invited to a picnic in a field with a friendly bunch of Armenians, or the time in the Syrian desert when people celebrated your group arrival by firing guns in to the air.  I promise you it will be worth it.    

Picnicking with friendly Armenians

So a good list to get you started, am sure others would add alternatives, but stick with the basics and you can't go far wrong.